Teacher Talk: Let's acknowledge that achieving in a difficult school is impressive
Sue Rogers, 57, teaches history at King Edward VII comprehensive school in Sheffield and is treasurer of the Nasuwt
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Your support makes all the difference.What do you think about the boycott that leading independent schools have mounted against Bristol University which alleges discrimination against their pupils?
This is like the squealing we had from independent schools last summer over A-level results. It turned out that only a small number of pupils needed to have their results regraded, which could have been dealt with via the usual appeals route. There will always be students who don't get into their first choice of university. If Bristol is acknowledging that achieving in a difficult school is impressive, then I think that's a good thing – and I'm a member of the middle classes and a mother. Of course, if they were excluding based on class that would be wrong.
A lack of family conversation means that half of children start school without essential speaking and listening skills, according to the Basic Skills Agency. What do you think?
As a first-time grandparent of a two-year-old who's just starting to use language with real meaning, I find this tragic. Tragic because children are starting school in a much more vulnerable position, but also in terms of relationships. Enough contact within families just isn't being made. I don't think it's necessarily a class thing.
I had seven years out of teaching to have children and, during this time, I looked after other people's children. I remember a parent noticing me chatting to a child. She said: "I find it interesting that you do that – I never know what to say." People must find the time to relate and talk to each other. Language skills are important but social contact which builds confidence is crucial, too.
Do you feel that too few parents are committed to their children's education?
No. I've just had a Year 9 parents' evening which was full of parents concerned that their children take the right options. Some 40 of 60 children had one or both parents turn up, which is slightly higher than for most year groups. The evening showed that, although we sometimes hear terrifying stories about parents, most are worried and committed.
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